NHRA® Team Report
NHRA Nevada Nationals – Las Vegas
Pre-Race Report

Finishing up October in recognition of The Pink Fund® on the Snap-on Dodge®, Cruz Pedregon and team are headed to Las Vegas with memories of his epic wheelie run in a pink paint scheme in 2017 and a win at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway drag strip in 2013. “We plan to finish out the season strong while bringing back other great memories of my dad racing here,” says Cruz. “We’re doing that with a hand-lettered ‘Flamin’ Frank’ helmet design that matches the dragster he drove here in Vegas and Pomona back in the ’60s.”

image.png

Before heading to Las Vegas, the team took time to ensure the Funny Car’s main fuel line is fully serviced and ready to race. It broke off the car in Dallas creating a chain reaction of the motor pulling down, drive shaft speeding up, tire spin, intake valve and a connecting rod break that resulted in a small fire.

Following the Texas race, Cruz announced on the team’s Facebook page that after the season ends, he will be heading to the first ever Riyadh Car Show in Saudi Arabia with the California Charger Nostalgia Funny Car and his 2008 NHRA Championship Nitro Funny Car November 21 – 26.

On the side of Cruz’s car
On the side of Cruz’s car this week, you’ll see the name of area Nitro Franchisee Steve Heard. After working as an auto mechanic, Steve decided to become a Snap-on franchisee four years ago. He says his inspiration to work with tools came from his Dad who was in the Air Force and worked on airplanes. Now Steve calls on all three of the Las Vegas-area airports along his Snap-on route. Steve’s been here to the track and taken his picture with Cruz several years running and says he likes Funny Cars the best because they’re the fastest and the loudest.

Things are getting interesting for Pro Stock championship-hopeful Jeg Coughlin Jr.
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 29) — With just two races left in the 2019 NHRA drag racing season, five-time Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. once again finds himself and his JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the midst of a thrilling battle for straight-line racing’s ultimate prize.

Currently third in the rankings, just 65 points behind leader Erica Enders, who happens to be his Elite Motorsports teammate, Coughlin and crew know they still have work to do if they want to capture a sixth Pro Stock title. But considering their recent performances in the playoffs, where they’ve jumped from eighth to third place, and the fact the season finale in Pomona awards points and a half, Coughlin and his team have pledged to remain super aggressive in pursuit of their top goal. Continue reading Things are getting interesting for Pro Stock championship-hopeful Jeg Coughlin Jr. →

Menard Finishes 21st At Martinsville

October 27, 2019

Paul Menard and the No. 21 Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford Mustang were on their way to recovering from a poor starting position in Sunday’s First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway when a freak mechanical issue dealt them a setback they were unable to overcome.

He wound up 21st at the finish. Continue reading Menard Finishes 21st At Martinsville →

Austin Dillon and Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet Team Show Grit and Determination at Martinsville Speedway

“I’m really proud of everyone on this No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet team for working hard all weekend and giving us a really solid car at Martinsville Speedway. We put up a fight all race long, which really helped us to stay on the lead lap and battle competitively in the top 12 throughout Stages 1 and 2. Early in Stage 3, we were racing hard with another car when we cut a tire and made contact with the outside wall. Our Chevy was just too loose after that, making it really hard to earn back the lap we lost while making repairs. We had a good fight, but this is not the finish we wanted today.”
-Austin Dillon

Daniel Hemric Survives Wild 500 Laps at Martinsville Speedway to Finish 17th in Chevrolet Accessories Camaro ZL1

“It was a solid day for us at Martinsville Speedway in the Chevrolet Accessories Camaro ZL1. We were just too loose and didn’t have the rear lateral grip we needed early in the race. We kept adjusting and trying to put ourselves in position to get the free pass or take the wave around, and finally late in the race we had something go our way that got us back on the lead lap. The No. 20 and the No. 34 got together behind us once we were back on the lead lap and turned us around. I hate that because I thought we were going to drive up into the top 15 pretty easily. It just wasn’t meant to be. We got a little too much damage to move forward at the end. All in all, just proud of these guys, proud of the effort and proud of the fight. We’ll roll on to Texas.”

-Daniel Hemric

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY
FIRST DATA 500
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
OCTOBER 27, 2019

TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL FINISHING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER (* = Playoff Contender)
2nd *William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1
6th Kurt Busch, No. 1 Global Poker Camaro ZL1
9th *Kyle Larson, No. 42 Clover Camaro ZL1
12th Chris Buescher, No. 37 Clorox Camaro ZL1
13th Bubba Wallace, No. 43 Victory Junction Camaro ZL1

TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL FINISHING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER (* = Chevy Playoff Contender)
1st Martin Truex Jr. (Toyota)
2nd *William Byron (Chevrolet)
3rd Brad Keselowski (Ford)
4th Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
5th Ryan Blaney (Ford)

UNOFFICIAL CURRENT PLAYOFF RANK (Following Round 7 of 10)
POS. DRIVER (* = Chevy Contender)
1. Martin Truex, Jr. (Toyota)
2. Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
3. Kyle Busch (Toyota)
4.____Joey Logano ________________
5. Kevin Harvick (Ford)
6. Ryan Blaney (Ford)
7. *Kyle Larson (Chevrolet) Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Martinsville–Post Race →

Menard Qualifies 30th At Martinsville

October 26, 2019

Paul Menard and the No. 21 Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford Mustang are set to start Sunday’s First Data 500 at Martinsville Speedway from 30th place.

Menard took that spot with a lap at 95.156 miles per hour during qualifying on Saturday afternoon, but the starting line-up won’t be official until after the cars are inspected on Sunday morning.

Menard and the Quick Lane team searched for speed throughout the day on Saturday as both practice sessions and qualifying were held on the same day.

He was 22nd in the opening practice with a best lap of 94.808 mph which he turned on his eighth of 33 laps run in that session.

In Happy Hour he was 28th on the speed chart with a best lap of 93.553 mph, which came on his sixth of 41 laps run.

His qualifying lap wound up being his fastest of the day, but Menard said he was hampered by being the first driver on the track for the session.

“It’s always tough going out first, especially here at Martinsville,” he said. “The tires just take so long to come in. I got a little too loose on entry, a little too tight back to the gas and just kind of on top of the track, but made a lot of changes today, and we’ll see if they work out tomorrow.”

Menard also said he’s proud to be driving for the Wood Brothers at their home track.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “This is my fourth time doing it, and a lot of 21 fans here, so that’s neat to see.”

The First Data 500 is set to get the green flag just after 3 p.m. on Sunday with TV coverage on NBCSN.

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY
FIRST DATA 500
TEAM CHEVY QUALIFYING NOTES & QUOTES
OCTOBER 26, 2019

TOP TEAM CHEVY UNOFFICIAL QUALIFYING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
2nd Chase Elliott, No. 9 Mountain Dew Camaro ZL1
11th William Byron, No. 24 Liberty University Camaro ZL1
14th Kyle Larson, No. 42 Clover Camaro ZL1
18th Daniel Hemric, No. 8 Chevrolet Accessories Camaro ZL1
19th Alex Bowman, No. 88 Llumar Camaro ZL1

TOP FIVE UNOFFICIAL QUALIFYING RESULTS:
POS. DRIVER
1st Denny Hamlin (Toyota)
2nd Chase Elliott (Chevrolet)
3rd Martin Truex, Jr. (Toyota)
4th Aric Almirola (Ford)
5th Michael McDowell (Ford) Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Martinsville–Qualifying →

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES
MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY
FIRST DATA 500
TEAM CHEVY PRESS CONF. TRANSCRIPT
OCTOBER 26, 2019

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 MOUNTAIN DEW CAMARO ZL1, met with media and discussed the motor issue he had during the first practice, what his strategy will be on Sunday with having to start from the rear, his views on teamwork and stage points, and more. Full Transcript:

CHASE, IF YOU JUST WANT TO OPEN THIS WITH WALKING US THROUGH WHAT HAPPENED IN PRACTICE AND WHAT IS YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND?
“We broke a motor there, five laps in, and it’s obviously and unfortunate way to start the day, for sure. But, it’s one of those things really that it kind of what it is at this point and everybody is working hard to try to get our car back put together to get some practice in this next one. At this point, that’s the most important thing.” Continue reading Chevy Racing–NASCAR–Martinsville–Chase Elliott →

Indy Car Star Rossi Returns To Baja 1000
• Alexander Rossi rejoins Honda Off-Road Racing Team for second Baja 1000
• Rossi to co-drive Ridgeline with Baja veterans Jeff Proctor, Pat Dailey
• Baja Ridgeline Race Truck seeks fourth class victory of 2019

TORRANCE, California (Oct. 25, 2019) – After a headline-making debut in 2018 – including a near miss with a passenger vehicle on the race course captured on a video that went viral – Honda Indy car star Alexander Rossi will again take on the SCORE Baja 1000, driving the Baja Ridgeline Race Truck as part of the Honda Off-Road Racing Team.
An off-road “rookie” at last year’s running of the legendary race, Rossi quickly adapted to the unique demands of desert racing, which saw the Jeff Proctor-led Honda Off-Road Racing Team post a second-place Class 7 finish, the fourth consecutive first- or second-place result for the Ridgeline Baja Race Truck at the Baja 1000.
“I am more than excited to get back in this Honda Ridgeline off-road truck for the Baja 1000,” Rossi said. “It’s safe to say I decided last year, within five minutes of testing the Ridgeline for the first time, that I was going to do this again.” Continue reading Indy Car Star Rossi Returns To Baja 1000 →

Dominic Scelzi Battles Throughout Trophy Cup

Inside Line Promotions – TULARE, Calif. (Oct. 24, 2019) – A mechanical problem derailed Dominic Scelzi last Saturday when he was in contention for at least a top five and possibly a victory during the final night of the famed Trophy Cup.

It had been an up-and-down type of event for the Roth Motorsports driver, who was running fourth on Saturday when he was sidelined by the problem on Lap 11. Continue reading Dominic Scelzi Battles Throughout Trophy Cup →

Richard Childress Racing at Martinsville Speedway … In 171 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Martinsville Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has earned four pole awards and posted seven victories with drivers Dale Earnhardt (five times), Ricky Rudd (1983) and Kevin Harvick (2011). RCR Chevrolet teams have earned 30 top-five and 63 top-10 finishes at Martinsville dating back to the team’s first start there on April 10, 1972. Richard Childress, a former driver in NASCAR’s top division, contributed four of those top-10 finishes from 1976-1978.

RCR in the MENCS … In 2,985 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 51 pole awards,108 wins, 489 top-five finishes and 1,075 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.8 and an average finishing position of 16.3. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR Xfinity Series titles, two Truck Series titles and one ARCA Menards Series title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series. Continue reading RCR Event Preview – Martinsville Speedway →

Acura NSX GT3 Teams Split 2019 SRO GT Championship Titles
• Real Time Racing Acura NSX GT3 wins GT team championship crown
• Acura NSX GT3 Evo racers won at all seven GT weekends of 2019
• Racer’s Edge Motorsports duo wins driver’s championship in Acura NSX GT3

LAS VEGAS, NV (Oct. 20, 2019) – The trio of teams campaigning the Acura NSX GT3 Evo in this year’s SRO Blancpain GT World Challenge America spent much of the season swapping the top spot in the Pro/Am division, so it was only fitting that when the dust cleared in Saturday’s season finale, two Acura teams were sharing championships.

Despite missing three of the year’s 14 races, RealTime Racing used a five-race win streak to claim the GT Series Pro/Am Teams’ Championship; while the Racer’s Edge Motorsports Acura NSX GT3 Evo, with Martin Barkey and Kyle Marcelli at the wheel for all 14 rounds, captured three class victories and 10 podiums to win the GT Pro/Am drivers’ crown. Continue reading Acura NSX GT3 Teams Split 2019 SRO GT Championship Titles →

Top Fuel — Billy Torrence, 3.775 seconds, 319.67 mph def. Jordan Vandergriff, 4.299 seconds, 246.03 mph.

Funny Car — Matt Hagan, Dodge Charger, 3.909, 327.59 ARP Car def. Bob Tasca III, Ford Mustang, 3.928, 323.12.

Pro Stock — Greg Anderson, Chevy Camaro, 6.609, 209.75 def. Jeg Coughlin, Camaro, 6.610, 207.56.

Pro Stock Motorcycle — Jerry Savoie, Suzuki, 6.881, 195.90 def. Eddie Krawiec, Harley-Davidson, 6.901, 195.62.

Top Alcohol Dragster — Megan Meyer, 5.299, 273.88 ARP Car def. Buddy Domingue, 5.296, 271.19.

Top Alcohol Funny Car — Sean Bellemeur, Chevy Camaro, 5.499, 268.54 def. Shane Westerfield, Camaro, 5.508, 266.58.

Competition Eliminator — Joey Tanksley, Dragster, 6.924, 186.69 def. Brian Browell, Dragster, 7.702, 140.49.

Super Stock — Vic Penrod, Chevy Camaro, 9.882, 136.36 def. Aaron Stanfield, Camaro, Foul – Red Light.

Stock Eliminator — Brandon Bakies, Olds Cutlass, 11.387, 113.78 def. Dale Hulquist, Chevy Camaro, 10.930, 118.57.

Super Comp — Don Nichols, Dragster, 8.932, 166.66 def. Christopher Dodd, Dragster, 8.934, 177.11.

Super Gas — Casey Plaizier, Chevy Corvette, 9.913, 160.16 def. Tim Nicholson, Chevy Camaro, 9.922, 106.16.

Super Street — John Leibham, Chevy Camaro, 10.802, 151.87 def. Jim Burrell, Ford Torino, Foul – Red Light.

Factory Stock Showdown — Chris Holbrook, Ford Mustang, 7.977, 172.74 def. Leah Pritchett, Dodge Challenger, 8.017, 171.16.

Top Sportsman presented by RacingRVs.com — Kamron Wright, Chevy Camaro, 6.626, 204.29 def. Bengt Blomberg, Pontiac Firebird, 6.834, 204.29.

Midwest Pro Mods — Aron Wells, Ford Mustang, 3.730, 205.69 def. Justin Jones, Chevy Corvette, 4.845, 110.22.

Matt Hagan Scores First Charger Hellcat Widebody Victory for Dodge//SRT at AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals

· Hagan drives the Western Technical College Mopar CAP Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Funny Car to 32nd win of his career and third career triumph at Texas Motorplex

· Leah Pritchett pulling double duty qualifies second in Top Fuel, reaches second round; advances to final round in Factory Stock Showdown

· Four Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers score opening-round wins and three rank in top six with two Countdown to the Championship races to go

· Austin Williams and Jacob Pitt earn Dodge Top Finisher honors in Sportsman classes

· Dodge Garage, a digital content hub for muscle car and race enthusiasts, features highlights from NHRA season

· New @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel features Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers in NHRA action
Continue reading Matt Hagan Scores First Charger Hellcat Widebody Victory for Dodge//SRT at AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals →

Menard Finishes 18th At Kansas

October 20, 2019

Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards/Atlas Roofing Shingles Ford Mustang flirted with a top-10 finish before falling back to 18th over two eventful green-white-checkered-flag runs to the finish of Sunday’s Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway.

Menard started Sunday’s 400-miler from 22nd place but moved into the top-15 in the opening laps before dropping back and off the lead lap near the end of the first 80-lap stage.

He was running in the free-pass position when a caution flag flew with four laps remaining for debris from an accident involving Ryan Newman and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

Back on the lead lap, he moved into the top 15 and then into the top 10 by the halfway point of Stage Two. Capitalizing on quick pit stops by his Menards/Atlas crew, he maintained his spot in the top 10 throughout Stage Two and ended that segment in eighth place.

In the final segment of the race, Menard raced in the top 15 and was running 11th when a caution flag flew with two of the scheduled 267 laps left to run.

That set up the first green-white-checkered attempt, and Menard was running 13th when a second caution flag resulted in another green-white-checkered try.

In the frenetic bumping and banging over the final two laps, Menard dropped to 18th at the finish.

“We were pretty good most of the day,” Eddie Wood said. “Paul did a good job, and the pit crew had some great stops.”

“We just got jammed up at the end. Now we’ll go to our home track, Martinsville Speedway, and try to give Paul a fast car for his last Cup start at a place that means a lot to our race team and to our family.”

For 31st time, five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. leads Pro Stock into race day
ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 19) — The Texas heat kept elapsed times in check Saturday at the 34th annual AAA Texas NHRA Fall Nationals, allowing five-time Pro Stock champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. to collect his second low qualifier award of the year. It’s the 31st time Coughlin has led the category into race day and the second year in a row he’s done so in Dallas.

Coughlin’s run-of-record came Friday evening when he clicked the timers in 6.509 seconds at 210.41 mph. Today’s two runs produced a 6.550 at 210.31 mph and a 6.574 at 208.10 mph. Overall this weekend, Coughlin’s JEGS.com Elite Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro was the quickest in three of four qualifying rounds and the second-quickest in the other. Continue reading For 31st time, five-time world champ Jeg Coughlin Jr. leads Pro Stock into race day →

FORCES SWEEP NITRO NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS

ENNIS, Texas (Oct. 19, 2019) — For the second time in NHRA history a parent child duo qualified No. 1 together. John Force and Brittany Force secured the No. 1 qualifier spot in their respective nitro categories Saturday at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex. The first time the feat was accomplished, the Force pair qualified in the top spot together at this year’s SpringNationals in Houston, Texas. Austin Prock and the Montana Brand / Rocky Mountain Twist team improved to start race day from the No. 7 spot, while Robert Hight and his AAA Texas Chevy Camaro SS team held onto the No. 2 qualifier position.

“Going No. 1 alongside Brittany makes it really special, anytime you get to do something with your kids and to be part of how proud she is of what her and her team have accomplished, it’s good,” said Force. “My wife loves it and it’ll make for a good evening.” Continue reading FORCES SWEEP NITRO NO. 1 QUALIFIERS AT AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS →

Leah Pritchett Leads Dodge//SRT Mopar Teams Qualifying No. 2 in AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals

· Leah Pritchett rockets HEMI®-fueled Pennzoil Dodge Top Fuel Dragster to the No. 2 position for Sunday’s elimination rounds of the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals near Dallas
· Ron Capps leads seven Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Funny Car drivers in field of 16 at Texas Motorplex
· Matt Hagan qualifies his Western Technical College Mopar CAP Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Funny Car sixth
· Three Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers earn top-half starting positions in Funny Car field
· Pritchett and Mark Pawuk qualify for 16-car Factory Stock Showdown field
· DodgeGarage.com, a digital content hub for muscle car and race enthusiasts, features highlights from NHRA season
· New @DodgeMoparMotorsports Instagram channel features Dodge//SRT Mopar drivers in NHRA action

October 19, 2019, Ennis, Texas – Top Fuel standout Leah Pritchett led the Dodge//SRT Mopar driver contingent in the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals near Dallas. She qualified the HEMI®-powered Pennzoil Dodge Top Fuel Dragster of Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) No. 2 for the third time in the first four NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship events. Continue reading Leah Pritchett Leads Dodge//SRT Mopar Teams Qualifying No. 2 in AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals →

JOHN FORCE RACING TEAMS IMPROVE CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS LEAVING AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS
ENNIS, TEXAS (Oct. 20, 2019) — The quad of John Force Racing nitro breathing hot rods stampeded their way to semifinal appearances at the AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex outside of Dallas. Robert Hight and the AAA Texas Chevrolet Camaro extended their points lead to 70 while John Force and the PEAK Coolant and Motor Oil / BlueDEF Camaro sit only four points back from second. In Top Fuel, Brittany Force put the Advance Auto Parts team within 46 points of the lead and Austin Prock did some damage to move into sixth. Continue reading JOHN FORCE RACING TEAMS IMPROVE CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS LEAVING AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS →

Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Roland Chevrolet Team Earn 20th-Place Finish at Kansas Speedway

“Man, what a day. I was excited about our top-10 starting position, but we were just way too loose to start the race and lost a lot of positions. We ended up falling one lap down to the leader and struggled all day to earn our lap back. Crew chief Danny Stockman called for a lot of adjustments but no matter how many my crew made, we just never got a solid feel for the handling of the Roland Chevrolet. In the closing laps, we had to make a last-minute pit stop for tires after we got a flat from a multi-car incident. We were able to still finish in the top 20, and I’m really proud of everyone at RCR and ECR for working so hard all weekend.”
-Austin Dillon

Daniel Hemric and No. 8 Caterpillar Team Start on the Pole and Lead Laps Before Late-Race Wreck at Kansas Speedway

“That’s an unfortunate ending to our day at Kansas Speedway for our No. 8 Caterpillar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. We had a fast Chevrolet this weekend, and it was really special to earn our first pole award as a group at Kansas. I was hoping once the green flag dropped we’d be able to set sail, lead laps and be in contention for the win. Unfortunately, our Caterpillar Chevrolet was just a little tricky to balance today. I needed more rear grip throughout most of the day, but never got it to where I could run both the top and bottom grooves like I wanted to. On the first attempt at a late-race restart, it all just happened so fast on the frontstretch and before I knew it, the No. 41 was turned down in front of me and we made contact. We were making up good positions before that and would have come away with a decent finish, but we’ll just refocus on Martinsville Speedway next week and try again.”

-Daniel Hemric